11 x 15 Antique Persian Bakshaish Rug 78290

78290 Late 19th Century Antique Persian Bakshaish Rug, 10'09 x 14'08.

In the quiet breath of a bygone era, this hand-knotted wool Bakshaish rug from the Late 19th Century unfurls like an ancient manuscript, its threads whispering tales from the heart of Persia’s rugged northwest. Bathed in the earthy warmth of a brick red field, this distressed beauty radiates a rustic elegance, as though kissed by time and softened by the gentle wear of generations past. The soul of the Bakshaish rug is rooted in the Mina Khani design—a lyrical latticework of blossoms and vinery, where rosettes bloom in rhythmic harmony, their forms cradled within the diamond-shaped embrace of meandering vines. Each motif, though stylized, pulses with a vitality that speaks to the weaver’s intuitive hand and the uncharted poetry of village artistry.

Dancing across the field, the floral forms evoke a garden of eternal spring, a tribute to nature’s cycles frozen in woolen memory. The Mina Khani pattern, traditionally a symbol of life’s continuity and abundance, weaves a visual melody where geometry and organic flourish converge. The distressed patina of the pile tells of a life well-lived—each faded blossom a testament to the passage of time, each softened hue a gentle echo of the rug’s vibrant youth. Shades of indigo, beige, and pink mingle with terra cotta and cerulean, creating a painterly tableau that transcends mere decoration, becoming instead a woven relic of pastoral dreams and timeless craftsmanship.

Framing this floral expanse is a robust Herati variation border, its intricate composition a nod to classical Persian refinement. Here, stylized palmettes and rosettes alternate with rhythmic precision, their forms outlined by a delicate interplay of light and shadow. This border, rich with symbolic meaning, serves not only as a visual anchor but also as a protective threshold, guarding the inner garden with grace and dignity. Flanking this central frame are inner and outer carnation meander guard bands, their scrolling tendrils adding yet another layer of complexity, like whispered benedictions encircling the heart of the Bakshaish rug.

This Bakshaish masterpiece, with its noble wear and soulful design, bridges the realms of utility and art, rustic charm and refined elegance. It speaks to a time when rugs were not mere objects, but vessels of culture, faith, and identity—woven with care by hands that sought not only to create beauty but to preserve a lineage of storytelling through pattern and hue. In its faded splendor lies a truth both humble and profound: that even as time weathers all things, the essence of artistry endures, eternal in its quiet, enduring grace.

• Distressed. Desirable Age Wear.
• Abrash.
• Hand knotted wool.
• Made in Iran.
• Measures: 10'09 x 14'08.
• Pile Height: 0.18 of an inch.
• Date: 1880's. Late 19th Century.